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The ThalesRaytheonSystems’ Ground Master 400 (GM 400) long-range air defence radar system has entered service with the German Air Force. This system is the first of six radar systems ordered by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to provide enhanced air surveillance throughout the centre of Germany, from the North Sea to the Alps.

The GM 400 will replace the former Thomson-CSF MPR radars, in service since the 1970s. Mounted on a fixed tower, the radars can be operated either from the radar site or from a remote centre. They are integrated into the German Air Surveillance network.

Installed in Auenhausen (Westphalen), surrounded by a large wind farm area, the GM 400 has successfully completed extensive compliance procedures and an operational test campaign with the BAAINBw, the German Air Force, Thales and ThalesRaytheonSystems personnel. On site validation of the second radar is in progress at the Lauda-Königshofen (Baden-Württemberg) radar site. The entire set of six radars is planned to be in operation by 2015.

“We are very pleased with the operational entry into service of ThalesRaytheonSystems’ Ground Master 400. It brings a real technology breakthrough with operational benefits like improved tracking, low altitude detection and easy maintenance. Our operators will benefit hugely from these latest technologies in threat detection”, noted Horst Minning, head of BAAINBw Land-Support Department.

“The excellent level of cooperation between the German Administration, the German Air Force, Thales and ThalesRaytheonSystems enabled the achievement of this important milestone in the German radar program. We look forward to pursuing this fruitful collaboration in the coming years” said Philippe Duhamel, CEO of ThalesRaytheonSystems.